Introduction
Cancer is a common condition: around 1 in 2 people will be affected with cancer at some point in their lifetime, mostly at older ages. Because cancer is so common, most people have at least one family member who has had, or is currently living with, a cancer diagnosis. There is usually no additional risk to relatives of the person with cancer.
However, in some families, we can see a pattern of similar cancers occurring in several close relatives, perhaps at an unusually young age for that type of cancer. In some of these families, an inherited genetic variant explains the cancers in the family. As an example, around 6% of breast cancer is thought to be caused by an inherited variant in a gene, often the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
Requesting family history information
If you are concerned about your own family history of cancer, you should speak to your GP in the first instance. If appropriate, your GP can then refer you to your local cancer family history clinic or regional clinical genetics service. These NHS services can carry out a detailed review of your family history, and confirm any cancer diagnoses with us in NDRS. Most families are not at increased risk, and can be reassured. If a family history suggests a moderate or high genetic risk, then family members can be offered screening and / or genetic testing, where appropriate.
You may also find this page on predictive genetic tests for cancer risk genes helpful to learn about how some types of cancers can be influenced by genes and run in families.
In NDRS, we also collect information on genetic testing for inherited cancer risk, and we use this information to support NHS genetics and screening services. Select the box below to download the latest version of the genetic information leaflet:
Last edited: 30 April 2025 9:10 am
